# NTSB FTW83LA160: Beech K35, N5395E, Torreon, NM, March 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1983, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Torreon, NM
- Coordinates: 34.72084, -106.28923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7208&lon=-106.2892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA160

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel tank selector position - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT CERTIFICATED, STATED THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE HE RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING BY TELEPHONE FROM THE FSS. ENROUTE, AFTER MAKING SEVERAL HEADING CHANGES TO AVOID WX HE FOUND HIMSELF SURROUNDED BY LOW CEILING AND PRECIPITATION. HE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A PAVED ROAD. ON THE FINAL TURN, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT HAD SWITCHED TO HIS AUXILIARY TANK JUST PRIOR TO DECIDING TO LAND AND NEGLECTED TO SWITCH BACK TO THE MAIN TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5395E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5395E-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N D-5908, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH K35
- Registry model: [Beech K35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-k35) (registry code 1151524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-5908
- Airframe hours: 3629
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph French
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1982, 76 hours before
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 450 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 60 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830318008769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830318008769A), Mar 18, 1983: Beech K35, Torreon, NM, Substantial damage. Crash landed on a road after becoming boxed in by snow showers. Engine had quit on final as the aux tank ran dry.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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